Her Dirty Bartenders (Men at Work #5) - Mika Lane Page 0,42

sure exactly what the guys had in mind suggesting I date the three of them, but I was pretty certain it was something that could only end in disaster and multiple broken hearts, mine included. And while I was enjoying Denver, I wasn't in it for the long haul. LA was still calling, although my obsession with it was tempered. I’d get there eventually.

But I couldn’t stop thinking about how natural it felt to be with them. Even Cab. I would have thought it would be awkward as hell to get together with him—the guy I lost my virginity to, and then who disappeared without a word—but I knew what it was like to be manipulated and pressured by parents. I guess I had forgiven him.

Everyone knew his dad was a bastard, so his sending Cab away was just par for the course. And Mr. Hendricks was well aware that taking him from me would hurt my parents, too. He’d succeeded.

“Hey, Maze,” I said, coming through the club’s front door.

An hour away from opening, the place was completely quiet. I loved it like this.

Looking up from his inventory sheet, he shot me a smile that nearly melted already-wobbly legs. He was just so perfect with his manly, sculpted jaw and broad shoulders.

The stuff women dream of.

And now that I’d messed around with him and found he was about a hundred times more skilled than Vaughn, I’d realized what a shitty choice I’d made in ever committing to that weasel.

“It’s awesome you’re riding a bike in. Between that and this job, you’re going to be in killer shape.”

I put my hands on my hips. “I thought you liked the shape I was in right now.”

He laughed and looked down, scraping his fingers through his close-cropped hair. “Oh, crap. Open mouth, insert foot.” He beckoned me with a finger.

“Yes?” I asked with a raised brow, approaching him.

He pulled me to him and my heart began to race.

Shit. I knew I shouldn’t encourage him, but every fiber in my body was begging for it.

He smoothed his hand over my ass. “You are perfect just as you are, Stell.”

Oh my god. I hadn’t been expecting that. “Thank you, Maze. That’s very sweet.”

He hooked a finger under my chin and forced me to look at him. “I think I see you blushing.”

Ugh. Busted.

I rolled my eyes and wriggled out of his hold. “I have work to do, mister. I will not fall victim to your charms,” I laughed.

“Ha. See if you can resist me,” he called after me as I wheeled my bike to the back.

The crowd was starting to build, which thrilled me to no end. Not only did being busy make the time fly, but it also meant I stood to make some real money since the guys shared their tips.

Maze and I were behind the bar that night, and we were really in the flow. And for some reason, even the shitty parts of the job, like dealing with dirty drink glasses, weren’t bothering me.

Maze had said I could make even more money if I tried bartending. He invited me to join his class. I was tempted. It would be a quick path to some serious cash. But I wanted to stay on track with my yoga teacher training, which was starting soon.

When I had plans, I stuck to them. Or tried to.

“Hey, Stell,” Maze said, leaning toward me. “There’s a guy at the end of the bar who’s asking for you.”

What? I didn’t know anyone in Denver.

Unless…

As soon as I spotted Vaughn staring me down, a wine glass slipped out of my hand, crashing to the floor.

Dammit.

“You okay, Stell?” Maze asked.

He must have seen the look on my face, because he instantly realized something was up.

“Stell, who is that? What’s wrong?”

I clenched my fists. That fucker was not only still in town, but he also had the nerve to come to my place of work.

“That’s my ex. The guy I left behind in Philly.”

Maze’s eyebrows shot up. “No shit. Let me go get rid of him—unless you want to talk to him?”

I looked up at him with pleading eyes. “Get rid of him. Please.”

I kept loading the bar’s dishwasher but watched the guys out of the corner of my eye. Whatever exchange they had seemed pleasant enough and Vaughn left without a fuss.

“I told him you were too busy to socialize. He was cool about it,” Maze said.

Hmmm. Vaughn was never cool about anything.

“Thanks, Maze. I appreciate it.”

But I knew that